Movie and TV show reviews

In this enchanting tale, I find myself captivated by the stellar performances of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Their Oscar-nominated portrayals beautifully depict an unforeseen bond that blossoms between these two characters. However, their friendship is put to the test when they cross paths with the revered Wonderful Wizard of Oz, played by none other than Jeff Goldblum. Joining them in this exploration of female camaraderie, power struggles, and the hidden magic within us are Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and Peter Dinklage. This cinematic journey offers a fresh take on friendship, corruption, and the extraordinary power residing in each of us.

In his latest role, Kim will manage all operational activities, strategic planning, business expansion, and financial aspects at an autonomous entertainment firm. He’s set to start as FilmNation continues to ride a crest of both critical and commercial triumphs, such as supporting Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, “Anora,” and Edward Berger’s BAFTA Best Film recipient, “Conclave.” Both films are vying for the Academy Award for best picture.

In the recent sales, the film “Dreams (Sex, Love)” that is debuting today at the Berlinale Competition, has been purchased by Films4You for distribution in Portugal, Swallow Wings for release in Taiwan, and Beta Films for screening in Bulgaria.

For the next eleven months, some highly anticipated movies like “Mission: Impossible – The Last Stand”, “Jurassic World: Resurgence”, “Avatar: Flames and Embers”, “Wicked: For Better or Worse” and “Superman” will be released in Hollywood. The intention is to increase earnings to a level comparable to pre-COVID times. Now that the pandemic and strikes are behind us, domestic revenues are expected to reach between $9.3 billion and $9.5 billion for the year. This would mark the best post-pandemic period yet, although it will still be below pre-pandemic levels when North American box office sales typically reached between $10.5 billion and $11 billion annually.

The main focus of the film is a future-set sport called Rollerball, which combines elements of roller derby, football, and motorcycles into a brutal spectacle. Remarkably, during its initial release, there was immense enthusiasm for this “sport,” leading numerous promoters and investors to reach out to Jewison with the intention of securing its rights. However, given the film’s themes, it is unsurprising that no such transaction occurred as the prospect of a real Rollerball league clashed with the director’s sensibilities.

The move from behind the camera wasn’t entirely spontaneous; instead, it marked the conclusion of a long-standing journey that commenced during Ranganathan’s student filmmaking years. “It all began with my short films,” Ranganathan shares with EbMaster. “When I directed my first short film alongside another actor, everyone at college approached him. I was standing right beside him, but no one realized I was the director. After everyone left, he’d apologize for not introducing me, saying ‘I’ll introduce them to you next time.’ I’d reply, ‘No need, it would be awkward if you called them again.’

During a recent chat on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Maya Hawke shared that some intelligent film directors have been instructed by producers to cast actors with a particular number of Instagram followers for projects to progress. She expressed her indifference towards Instagram, calling it frustrating. Essentially, she noted that having a significant number of Instagram followers can help secure funding for movies; however, this presents a challenging balance to maintain.

In 2023, I found myself part of a unique competition that welcomed budding filmmakers between the ages of 21 and 30 to demonstrate their skillset. The competition promised a life-changing opportunity for winners: their short films would be produced and premiered on the big screen.

The show titled “Pati Jinich’s Panamerican Adventure” airs from April 29th to May 13th. In this season, Mexican chef, television host, and cookbook author Pati Jinich journeys through locations spanning Alaska to Alberta. Notable destinations such as Juneau, Halibut Cove, and Whitehorse will be showcased during the first season.

Good Cop/Bad Cop” Unfolds in the Tiny Town of Eden Vale, Washington

The story commences in the quaint town of Eden Vale, a place with only around 10,000 residents, leaving its law enforcement resources somewhat sparse. The lone detective in this peaceful community is Lou Hickman (played by Leighton Meester), known for her perpetual optimism and knack for solving local crimes. However, after a tumultuous double heist, Lou comes to the disheartening realization that the understaffed police force may not be equipped to handle such complex cases. In dire need of reinforcements, she implores her father, Police Chief Big Hank (Clancey Brown), for a partner. Alas, Big Hank assigns the last person Lou desires to team up with – her brother, Henry (Luke Cook).